On January 9, a deadly attack in northern Benin claimed the lives of approximately 30 soldiers. The assault, carried out by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), targeted an army position near the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger.
Following the attack, General Fructueux Gbaguidi, Chief of Staff of the Beninese Armed Forces, has called for increased military collaboration across the region to combat terrorism. He stressed the importance of a unified response to networks of terrorism that operate across borders, which he described as a significant threat to the region’s stability.

This call for cooperation comes amid rising tensions between Benin and Niger. The military government in Niamey has accused Cotonou of collaborating with France to undermine its transitional government, which came to power after a coup in July 2023.
The attack highlights the growing security challenges faced by Benin and its neighbors as jihadist groups continue to expand their reach in the Sahel and West Africa region.